What does toner do for your face?

thenovice

Well-known member
I use Aveda Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent.
I was using Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist.

The one i use now is ok, the other one was better. I will have to switch back. The reason for the origional switch?? It was the only one of the two they had in the store. Haha.

I use toner backwards- i moisterize then tone, because it works best for my skin. I use it to control the oils- it helps. Its not really neccesary. They second toner is great for the summer. It really makes my face feel refreshed.
 

Love Always Ivy

Well-known member
toner helps balance out skin and get any last bit of dirt and grime down in your pores that your cleanser might have left behind.

different toners have different ingredients meant for different skin types. ie: if the toner is meant for combo skin, it will help balance out your oil but wont be overly drying to your non t zone, whereas a toner meant for blemished skin will be more drying and abrasive to treat your zits.

i work at TBS and we have toners for different skin types and they ALL feel different. the aloe is super mild for sensitive skin. seaweed is for combo, tea tree for blemished super oily and grapeseed for dry.

like with any other product in your skincare regimen you gotta pick products that meet your skin concerns or you could be doing more harm than good
 

PolyphonicLove

Well-known member
toner is supposed to restore the pH balance in your skin after washing, and closes your pores so your skin can absorb moisturizer. if you moisturize before allowing your pores to close, you end up with the moisturizer in your pores, which clogs them all over again - then it'll get worse in the long run.

use the toner specifically for your skin type. I have combo skin, so using somehting for sensitive skin will do no good. if I use one for oily skin, I'll pretty much die because only my t-zone is oily, and the rest of my skin is dry.

so toner is essential - and good for you, if you buy the right kind! :]
 

aeni

Well-known member
I only use toner in the summer, and moisterizer in the winter. The toner compensates with the extra oil my face makes while it also grabs any extra oil or dirt before I creating a scar or cut on someone.

However - don't use toner if you're going to use collodion.
 

Neetu

New member
i have a olay toner and for me it cleans my pores and i noticed it also removes makup . it makes it smoother and less oiley
 

carlie

New member
toner is really good after you cleanse your face apply toner the minimise open pores and get rid of existing makeup.
 

Candlecove

Active member
I've noticed that my skin feels a bit rough and dry after a couple of days without toner. I know some people says it's not something that you have to use, but my skin seems to need it to some degree.
The one I use helps calm and moisturise the skin. I have also used ones with salicylic acid when I suffered from break outs.
One thing to remember is to stay clear of toners with alcohol. Those tend to be too harsh and irritating for your skin.
I remember my mom telling me that when she was a girl (this would be cirka 1960), you would use a toner to restore the skins PH after washing with a barsoap. I don't think that's nessecary anymore, since you can get some really gentle cleansers - and besides, skin is able to restore PH on it's own.
And if you need a toner to remove the last makeup, it would be a good idea to look for a more effective cleanser.
 

Duvessa

Member
I didn't use toner for a long time but I've recently started using one that has 2% salicylic acid just to help me clear out my acne-prone skin even better.

I think it's just meant to clean up the face from last bits of nastiness and make up that might've been left on it and shrink pores (with alcohol). That pretty much depends on what kind of toner you're getting :)
 

22Jenn

New member
Rodan and Fields has an amazing toner under the Anti-Aging system. This toner has been my favorite due to minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and enabling my facial cream and serum to penetrate faster. You can check out these products at: Jenngarcia.randf.com
 

Babylard

Well-known member
I use toner to prevent and treat acne. If I don't use toner, my face is a bumpy mess. D; The alcohol kills bacteria on skin that can cause inflammation
 

Mabelle

Well-known member
Toner regulates your skin's PH balance.

Your skin normally has a pH of lets say 5.5. Depending on your face wash, your balance can be thrown way off, but even with "pH balanced" cleansers your skin is still thrown out of wack. It temporarily assumes a pH closer to water (which you rinse your face with) which is 7. Your skin will feel tight, and slightly uncomfortable. When you put your skincare on top of it it will not preform efficiently, because it is working on a pH that it is not deisgned to function on. Skincare will not "go into pores" or cause breakouts if you don't use toner. It just won't work as well as it should.

Toner will restore the natural balance to your skin, letting skin feel comfortable, and allowing products to work as intended.

Toners will not "shrink pores" they will help to close them. When we wash our faces with warm water the steam will open the pores slightly, the toner will help to "close them".
If you are seeing makeup on your pad, you are not washing your face properly in the first place. Toner should not be taking off traces of makeup, as that is your cleansers job.
In certain toners you will find skin care benefits, like anti acne ingridients, or things to calm skin, but agian, it's main purpose is the pH.

For most people, your skin will naturally resume it's pH balance after 10-15 minutes, but that depends on your skin type aswell.
 

Chrissiecram

New member
We'll the key to trying to get a great skin routine is for the first few weeks don't wear any makeup and cleanse and moisturise everyday then go on the run and drink at least 10 pints of water and 28 pieces of fruit xx:encore::eyelove:
 

Kathniss08

Well-known member
I think toner removes the dirt that your soap/cleanser can't remove. It is always recommend that you use toner after washing your face with mild soap. This may control your oil production and will prevent pimples too. It is very important to have a good daily skin care routine to maintain the beauty of your skin.
 

heirloom94

Well-known member
I use two toners. One that exfoliates and one that moisturises. My skin regimen is based on Caroline Hirons' teachings. The exfoliating one is Pixi Glow Tonic and the moisturising one is a cheap Loreal age perfect something or other
 

Esthylove

Member
Toner tightens up the pores after cleansing. Some also help restore the pH of the skin before putting on serums, moisturizer, etc. Make sure the toner has dried on your skin before moving on to moisturizing to get the most benefit. :)
 

jessicalee26

Active member
I am looking to find a new skin care routine for my face, and realized that I really don't know what toner does
lol.gif
Can someone enlighten me please?
Try alcoholic toner if you have oily skin otherwise use alcohol free toner. It will help you to have smooth skin.
 

Teger

Well-known member
I have two different toners I switch between: MAC Lightful Softening Lotion and Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 '1970'
MAC is hydrating and brightening, the P50 is exfoliating and balancing. Both are alcohol free.
I simply use the MAC when my skin is going well, and the P50 when it's not doing so well :)
 

Niya

Member
A lot of people say that toner is supposed to close your pores, but according to a lot of skincare experts there is no such thing as opening or closing pores.

I think toners used to work in order to balance the pH of your skin, and they can still work so if you use a really high pH cleanser. But generally (good) toners are now supposed to either hydrate your skin (for instance glycerin or hyaluranic acid toners) or exfoliate your skin (toners with AHAs or BHAs). There are also astringent toners with alcohol, often marketed towards oilier skins, but I'm personally not a fan of alcohol in my skincare.

I'm currently using the MAC Lightful Softening Lotion, which is hydrating but I want to switch it up with an exfoliating/acidic toner.
 

OROGOLD

Member
The term "toner" has been used to describe a few different things. Be sure to read the ingredients on the packaging to be sure you're going to get the result you want. Alcohol-based "toners" for example are actually astringents. Alcohol dries out the skin and is generally used to reduce oil buildup. Traditional toners on the other hand are meant to hydrate and balance the skin. Be sure to consider your skin type when selecting a toner. What I love about our toner is that on top working like a traditional toner it has also Witch Hazel and Chamomile, ingredients which help reduce inflammation and blemishes.
 

nikaramirez

Member
This thread is super helpful, i've been really curious about what toners actually do. I honestly just include it in my regimen because it's super refreshing after cleansing. I use the Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner & it works really nicely :))
 

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